Finance Executive

APPLIED AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES Sdn. Bhd. was established in 1986 and is an associate company of two highly successful public-listed Malaysian companies, Boustead Plantations Berhad and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad. As a leading research centre in tropical plantation crops, our core activities involve research in crop improvement and production, providing advisory services for plantation crops, and producing and selling oil palm tissue culture ramets and seeds.

We operate through two entities:

• Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn. Bhd., which generates revenue through the sale of DxP seeds, oil palm ramets, and agricultural and laboratory services.
• Advanced Agroecological Research, focused on pure R&D funded by our principals, benefits from a double tax deduction status.

About the Unit:

The Finance Unit at AAR is integral to ensuring the company's financial health and sustainability. Beyond managing statutory reporting and financial operations, the team collaborates closely with the finance teams of our Principals to align on strategic financial planning and reporting.

Key responsibilities include budgeting, cash flow management, taxation, and investment planning, ensuring that funds are effectively allocated for daily operations, R&D projects, and capital investments. The Finance Unit also oversees compliance with government regulations, optimises financial processes, and leverages Double-Tax Deduction status to maximise the company's benefits.

The Finance Unit plays a pivotal role in supporting AAR's innovative research and operational excellence.

Your Role:

As a Finance Executive, you will play a vital role in managing and enhancing AAR’s financial operations. Reporting directly to the Finance Manager, you will be responsible for preparation of statutory and management reporting, budgeting, taxation submission, transfer pricing documentation compilation and cash flow management.

This role involves close collaboration with the finance teams of our Principals to ensure alignment on financial planning and compliance. Additionally, you will contribute to process improvement initiatives, including refining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and introducing better financial reporting systems for precise analysis and decision-making.

Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Accountancy or Finance (or equivalent) with a minimum CGPA of 3.50 or higher. Professional qualifications (e.g., ACCA, CPA, CIMA) will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience, including preparing full sets of accounts, account consolidation, taxation, and management reporting.
• Experience in financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting and taxation is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience with audits (internal and external) and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Proficient in accounting software such as AutoCount Accounting, SAP, or equivalent ERP systems.
• Strong command of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of advanced financial tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a bonus.
• Excellent spoken and written English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Responsibilities:

Assist the Finance Manager in supporting accounting operations, including but not limited to:

• Monthly closing of accounts.
• Preparation of management reports.
• Analysis and monitoring of operational expenditures.
• Compilation of data for budgeting, projections, taxation, R&D submissions, and transfer pricing documentation.
• Assisting with external and internal auditing processes.
• Handling other ad hoc duties as assigned by the company.

Additional Skills and Notes:

• Experience in financial modelling and forecasting to support strategic decision-making and long-term planning.
• Proven ability to manage cash flows effectively and assess investment opportunities, including fixed deposits (FDs) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) planning.
• Familiarity with implementing and monitoring internal controls to ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards.
• Experience in handling audits by regulatory bodies, such as tax authorities or government agencies.
• Deep understanding of corporate tax laws, transfer pricing, and double-tax deduction mechanisms, particularly relevant for R&D activities.
• Hands-on experience in driving process automation and digital transformation in finance workflows, including introducing new accounting or ERP systems.
• Competency in advanced financial analysis tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to generate insightful dashboards and reports.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple tasks while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including operational and R&D teams.
• Familiarity with accounting practices specific to R&D projects, including expense tracking, cost allocation, and billing to stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders, including Principals and management teams.

Remuneration:

We offer an attractive remuneration package of a gross monthly salary, fixed allowances, yearly bonuses, and excellent opportunities for long-term career development. Other perks include car/housing loan subsidies and child support. Full medical coverage is extended to the employee and their immediate family members. The remuneration scale advertised will vary based on experience and qualifications, with the salary range indicated as suitable for fresh graduates and those with less than three years of experience. Higher salaries are offered to candidates with more extensive experience.